Delonghi G 011230 RTW Rapido > Reviews (1)

Baby It's Cold Inside

I work in a large wooden cabin at the end of our garden. As last winter deepened, it became obvious to me that something needed to be done to warm my cabin up, otherwise my clients were going to end up thinking they were visiting to arrange cryogenic storage rather than undertake therapy! The smaller heaters I had, whilst giving a fair amount of heat just weren't up to the task of heating such a large space.
On the advice of my son (who has one) and good old 'Which' Magazine, I invested in a Delonghi "G011230RTW" rapido 3kw oil filled radiator. I got it second hand for £50.00. A new one would have had me forking out around £150.00.
I have to say, I am so impressed with it that I wouldn't have minded paying full price. (but I'd still prefer not to!) As the heater wasn't new when I bought it I didn't get a manual, my son couldn't find his so I can't comment on the helpfulness or otherwise of it.

Come on Baby Light my fire

I thought 3 Kilowat was really going to make the electricity meter whizz around and cost me a fortune. The beauty of this radiator, unlike some cheaper versions, is that once the room has reached the temperature that I have chosen, the internal thermostat kicks in and reduces the output. Apparently it has an 'intelligent thermostat' that selects the most economical power setting. I found that a comfortable temperature was maintained throughout my working day which was very good news for me.
My cabin is wired to the house so I can't tell if the introduction of the radiator has made for a significant increase in the electricity bill. I don't want it to have risen but at the same time I can't work properly if I am not comfortable. Obviously my client's comfort and warmth is high priority for me too. Any extra cost would be worth it for me for the speed, convenience and luxurious heat that this radiator provides when I ask it to. Having used it for a few months now I consider that the smaller cheaper heaters I used were a false economy.

We're Having A Heat Wave!

When I come into the cabin on some mornings it can be really, really chilly. (Cold enough to turn my nipples into 'Chapel hat pegs'! (Sorry but it's true!) The radiator has another clever function. It's 'Instant Heat System' warms the room very quickly. Again, when it has done it's job it reverts to normal output. I don't know how, it seems like magic to me! All I know is that I come into the cabin, switch the radiator on, switch the computer on, go back to the house to make a mug of tea and when I come back five minutes later, the horrible icy chill is off the cabin. I love it!

You really switch me on!

For those of you who love to fiddle with switches, this radiator will delight you. It has 7 heat settings, adjustable power output, and a little on off button. (I tried to find the toaster settings but couldn't!) The switches and dials are situated on the top end of the radiator and are easy to reach and see because they aren't hidden away near the bottom of the heater.

The cord is about six foot long which is long enough for me to move the heater if I want to but not so long that there are wires trailing about the place being potential trip hazards.

Drop It Like It’s Hot

As a heater it is superlative. It is quiet, fast and efficient. It is quite large though and extremely heavy. This is where I find the only fault with it. It is supposed to be portable and has two sets of wheels. Large ones at the back end and little caster type wheels at the other end, this is fine if you need to wheel it from one room to another. The problems arise if you want to take it upstairs or out of the house. It only has one carrying slot for the fingers and this means that you have to lift it from the bottom of the other end. As that bottom end of the radiator has no solid way of gripping it (the plastic casing doesn't feel solid enough,) it makes manouevering the radiator a big problem for me. (If I was a six foot bricky it wouldn't be a problem.)

Baby You Look Hot to Me!

The radiator is finished in an unobtrusive matt cream colour and so wouldn't look out of place anywhere. It is solidly constructed and easy to wipe clean or dust. It was just over a year old when I bought it and looked like new, there was no chipping or cracking of the plastic frame. I think it is quite stylish as radiators go. It's not going to win awards but I bought it for the heat not the looks.
I haven't had a problem with accidentally burning myself if I touch it when it is turned on. The design seems to keep the walls and top cool enough to handle. Of course common sense tells us not to place objects on the top but it has a safety cut out to prevent accidental overheating. I must confess to warming the odd pair of socks on it prior to going back outside. ( It feels so luxurious to pull warm socks on to cold feet!) It wouldn't be a good idea to try to dry anything on it though.

In the Heat of the night?

If the weather is very cold I leave the heater switched on overnight and the thermostat will cut in to prevent my cabin dropping to below freezing. (I imagine my computer benefits from lack of Arctic conditions too!) This isn't necessary very often thank goodness! When I have used it, it is obvious that the cold damp sort of chill is off the place and wintry mornings just feel a whole lot pleasanter in my cabin.

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The clincher for me is that if by any chance this heater stops working, I would go straight out and buy another one. I like it that much!